Overcap for container

ABSTRACT

Several embodiments of overcaps for containers are shown for protecting lid portions of container during shipment, storage, and heating. The overcaps are readily releasable from the containers without undue stress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention is directed to an overcap for a container and more particularly to an overcap molded from thermoplastic material for use in connection with a container which may also be molded or thermoformed from plastic material.

[0002] Various types or overcaps for containers, such as plastic bowls or metal cans, are currently available in the marketplace. These caps are useful for maintaining cleanliness of the underlying sealed container lid, and/or providing a location for advertising and pricing indicia, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A flexible, thermoplastic overcap is provided for covering a container opening, and more particular for covering a previously closed and sealed container. The over cap may or may not be provided with small openings for subsequent use during microwave container contents following opening of the container's closure panel or lid.

[0004] The overcap includes an end panel for covering or overlying the container end and includes a depending, peripheral skirt portion extending general along a wall portion of the container. The skirt portion includes an inwardly extending ledge or latch portion for underlying a lip, or flange or other protrusion forming part of or carried by the container. The ledge or latch portion provides an aggressive retention feature for securely maintaining the overcap upon the container during shipping, storage and shelving of the container and the product contained therein.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for permitting easy removal of the overcap from the container. This can be accomplished by providing spaced, generally parallel, slots in the depending skirt portion of the overcap for proving a handle or lever portion for withdrawing the ledge or latch portion outwardly from engagement under the lip or flange portion of the container

[0006] A further object of the invention, for use with containers having a tubular body and a generally circular cross-section is to provide a series of three, substantially equally spaced latching member within the depending skirt portion of the overcap. Each latching member may extend along the periphery for approximately 120 degrees so that upon release of one member, the overcap may be readily shifted laterally to provide for easy removal of the overcap from the related container.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a modified form of overcap wherein preferably three latching members may each have a peripheral length which subtends about 40 to 60 degrees but are spaced with their center lines spaced on the order of 120 degrees so that, hereagain, release of one latching member will allow easy lateral shifting of the overcap and removal from the end of container.

[0008] A still further object of the invention is to provide the latch member with an elongated release handle which extends slightly below the lowermost edge of the depending skirt portion to provide a visual aid in quickly locating the position of the latching member

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an opening or window extending along a periphery of the overcap, in or adjacent to the depending skirt portion, the purpose of which is to receive therein a portion of the container lip, or flange portion, or closure seam to locate the ledge or latch portion of the overcap in position to securely located the overcap upon the container. Preferably, a series of three of the openings or windows have their centerlines space 120 degrees about the periphery of a generally circular overcap. It is contemplated that for such windows may be used in connection with containers having a generally rectangular cross-section or with those having a generally oval cross-section such as is conventionally used for canned hams and the like.

[0010] Other objects will be apparent to those having skill in the container art from a consideration of the following description of several preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a container having a first form of overcap located thereon.

[0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1 and illustrates the ledge or latch portion on the overcap engaging the lip or flange portion

[0013]FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of a container having a second form of overcap located thereon.

[0014]FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 3 and illustrates the ledge or latch portion on the overcap engaging the lip or flange portion

[0015]FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of a container having a third form of overcap located thereon.

[0016]FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 5 and illustrates the ledge or latch portion on the overcap engaging the lip or flange portion

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] As is indicated above, FIGS. 1 and 2 are pictorial representations of a container, generally indicated by the numeral 10, leaving a first form of overcap 12 located thereon. Three skirts 14, 16 and a third skirt located on the unseen side of overcap 12, each extend for nearly 120 degrees about the periphery of overcap 12 and having a demarcation slot 18 between each skirt portion. Each skirt portion includes a window 20 formed by a peripheral opening in or adjacent to the skirts 14, 16, for receiving a portion of a container lip, or flange or seam so that an inwardly extending ledge 24 engages therewith for securely fastening over cap 12 to container 10.

[0018]FIGS. 3 and 4 are pictorial representations of a container, generally indicated by the numeral 110, leaving a first form of overcap 112 located thereon. Three skirts 114, 116 and a third skirt located on the unseen side or overcap 112, each extend for nearly 120 degrees about the periphery of overcap 112 and having demarcation slots 118, 118 defining the ends of handle portions 122 between each skirt portion. Each skirt portion includes a window 120 formed by a peripheral opening in or adjacent to the skirts 114, 116, for receiving a portion of a container lip, or flange or seam so that an inwardly extending ledge 124 engages therewith for securely fastening over cap 112 to container 110. A lowermost edge 130 of handle portion 122 is seen extending below lowermost edge 134 of skirt 114 or 116 to clearly indicate the location of handle portion 122 for readily releasing one handle portion from engagement with the container 110 so that overcap 112 can be moved laterally and easily release from container 110.

[0019]FIGS. 5 and 46 are pictorial representations of a container, generally indicated by the numeral 210, having a first form of overcap 212 located thereon. Three skirts 214, 216 and a third skirt located on the unseen side of overcap 212, each extend for nearly 80 degrees about the periphery of overcap 212 and having demarcation slots 218, 218 defining the ends of handle portions 222 which extend about 40 degrees between each skirt portion. Each skirt portion includes a window 220 formed by a peripheral opening in or adjacent to the skirts 214, 216, for receiving a portion of a container lip, or flange or seam so that an inwardly extending ledge 224 engages therewith for securely fastening over cap 212 to container 210. A lowermost edge 230 or handle portion 222 is seen as coextending with lowermost edge 234 of skirt 214, 216 to provide a smooth lower edge portion of overcap 212. Handle portion 222 is movable upwardly for readily releasing ledge portion 224 from engagement with the container 210 so that overcap 212 can be moved laterally and easily released from container 210. 

I claim:
 1. An overcap for a container, said overcap including an end panel for overlying a container end and including a depending, peripheral skirt portion extending generally along a wall portion of the container, said skirt portion including a plurality of spaced, inwardly extending ledge portions for underlying a lip or flange forming part of the container, said ledge portion providing retention means for maintaining said overcap upon the container during shipping, storing and shelving of the container, a plurality of spaced, generally parallel slots in said skirt portion for providing a handle portion for withdrawing at least one of said ledge portions from engagement under the lip or flange of the container.
 2. An overcap as defined in claim 1 wherein there is provided a series of three ledge portions substantially equally spaced about said skirt portion.
 3. An overcap as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle portion extends below a lowermost edge of said skirt portion. 